An ottoman bed is a sound investment in any home where storage is short and floor space is limited, because it converts the volume under the mattress into usable capacity without occupying a single extra square metre. A double ottoman base typically holds between 400 and 600 litres, which is comparable to a small wardrobe. In a bedroom where a second storage piece simply will not fit, that capacity is the whole argument.<\/p>\n
Where it is less compelling is in homes with generous built in storage, or where the person using the bed will find lifting the base awkward. The mechanism is assisted but not effortless, and the mattress has to be cleared before it opens. Value here depends on circumstance rather than on the product itself.<\/p>\n
The under bed volume is the most consistently wasted space in a UK bedroom. Plastic boxes pushed under a frame use a fraction of it, collect dust and need dragging out across the floor.<\/p>\n
An ottoman base encloses that volume properly. A double base holds the equivalent of several large suitcases: out of season clothing, spare duvets and pillows, guest bedding, luggage and anything else used a few times a year. A king size base takes more again.<\/p>\n
The gain is not only capacity but organisation. Enclosed storage stays clean, which matters for bedding. Items stored openly under a bed need washing before use. Items stored in a sealed base do not.<\/p>\n
Drawer bases are the main alternative and the comparison is worth making honestly.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, drawers suit everyday items and ottomans suit bulk storage. If the room can take either, the question is what you intend to store.<\/p>\n
This choice determines whether the bed works in your layout, so it needs deciding before anything else.<\/p>\n
A side lifting base opens along the long edge. It needs clear floor along that side, typically 70cm or more, and it suits rooms where the bed sits away from side walls with space on at least one flank.<\/p>\n
An end lifting base opens from the foot. It needs clearance at the end of the bed rather than the side, which makes it the right choice when the bed is pushed into an alcove or against a side wall. End lifting also tends to feel more balanced to operate, since the weight is distributed across the full width.<\/p>\n
Measure the clearance in both directions before deciding. Our modern ottomans UK sale<\/a> range lists the lift direction and the required clearance on each listing.<\/p>\n Every ottoman bed relies on gas struts. This is the component that determines whether the bed is still pleasant to use in five years.<\/p>\n Look for struts rated appropriately for the base size and mattress weight. A strut specified for a light mattress under a deep pocket sprung model will strain, and the base will begin to sag when closed or feel heavy when opening. Manufacturers usually state a maximum mattress weight, and it is worth respecting.<\/p>\n Metal framed bases hold their geometry better than timber ones over years of lifting, particularly on larger sizes where the flex is greater. Check also that the struts are replaceable as standard parts, since a bed that can be repaired has a far longer working life than one that cannot.<\/p>\n A well made mechanism should lift with moderate effort and hold open securely without drifting. It should also lower under control rather than dropping the last portion of the travel.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds deliver most value in specific situations.<\/p>\n Flats and apartments without loft or garage space benefit immediately, since there is nowhere else for seasonal items to go. Rented bedrooms with a single supplied wardrobe gain capacity without adding furniture the tenant then has to move. Small terraced houses and box rooms where a chest of drawers would block the walking route get storage that costs no floor area at all.<\/p>\n Guest rooms are another strong case: spare bedding lives inside the bed it serves, which is both tidy and logical.<\/p>\n Where the value drops is in homes with fitted wardrobes across a full wall, or for anyone who finds lifting difficult. In the latter case a drawer base delivers most of the practical benefit with none of the effort.<\/p>\n A few habits make the difference between a base that works and one that becomes a hassle.<\/p>\n Ventilation deserves attention. A sealed base with a solid platform holds moisture more than a slatted one. Most quality bases use a slatted or perforated platform for exactly this reason, and if yours is solid, opening it regularly matters more.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds arrive flat packed in several boxes and take longer to build than a standard frame, usually because the base and the lifting mechanism are assembled separately before being joined. Two people make the job considerably easier, particularly when fitting the struts, which are under tension.<\/p>\n Follow the stated order of assembly rather than working ahead. Struts fitted before the base is square will sit at a slight angle and the lift will feel uneven from the first use. Leave every bolt slightly loose until the frame is fully together, then tighten in sequence once everything aligns.<\/p>\n In the first few weeks, open and close the base gently while the mechanism settles. If the lid drifts downward when held partly open, or if it feels heavier on one side, check the strut fixings before assuming the parts are faulty. Most early problems come down to alignment rather than component failure.<\/p>\n Storage should not be the only consideration. The bed still has to suit the room. Ottoman bases are available across upholstered, timber and leather frames, so the mechanism need not dictate the style.<\/p>\n Upholstered versions are the most widely available and offer the broadest range of headboard heights. Our modern fabric beds UK sale<\/a> collection includes ottoman options across most sizes. For a harder wearing surface, our modern leather beds UK<\/a> range includes lift up bases with wipe clean finishes.<\/p>\n If storage need is the priority across the whole room, it is worth planning the ottoman alongside the rest of the furniture rather than in isolation. Our modern bedroom furniture UK<\/a> range makes it possible to match heights and finishes across the scheme. Full dimensions appear on every product page at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, and we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.<\/p>\n Judged over the life of the bed, an ottoman base earns its place in any home short of storage. The capacity it adds would otherwise require a separate piece of furniture, floor space and the room to use it. The mechanism is the variable: a well specified strut system lasts for years and can be repaired, while an underspecified one becomes tiresome quickly.<\/p>\n Buy on mechanism quality and lift direction first, then on appearance. That order of priority is what separates an ottoman bed that keeps proving useful from one that gets left closed.<\/p>\n A double base typically offers between 400 and 600 litres of enclosed storage, roughly comparable to a small wardrobe. King and super king bases offer more.<\/p>\n Gas struts carry most of the weight, so the effort is moderate for most adults. Anyone with shoulder or back limitations should consider a drawer base instead, since the lift still requires a controlled push.<\/p>\n Only if the base is sealed and the room is poorly ventilated. Most bases use slatted or perforated platforms to allow air movement. Opening the base occasionally to air it prevents problems in damp prone rooms.<\/p>\n Check the stated maximum mattress weight. The struts are specified around it, and an overly heavy mattress will make the base hard to lift and shorten the life of the mechanism.<\/p>\n End lift suits beds pushed against a side wall or into an alcove, since it needs clearance only at the foot. Side lift suits rooms with open floor along one long edge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An ottoman bed earns its place in any home where storage is short and floor space is limited, converting the volume under the mattress into enclosed capacity of roughly 400 to 600 litres on a double. This guide weighs that capacity honestly against drawer bases,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":66479,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[361,1314,974,1313],"class_list":["post-66478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedroom-furniture","tag-bedroom-storage","tag-ottoman-beds","tag-small-bedrooms","tag-storage-beds"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66478"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66686,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66478\/revisions\/66686"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Mechanism Is Where Value Is Won or Lost<\/h3>\n
Who Gets the Most From One<\/h3>\n
Living With an Ottoman Bed<\/h3>\n
\n
Assembly and the First Few Weeks<\/h3>\n
Choosing the Frame Around the Mechanism<\/h3>\n
The Verdict on Value<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n
How much can an ottoman bed hold?<\/h3>\n
Are ottoman beds difficult to lift?<\/h3>\n
Do ottoman beds cause damp or mould?<\/h3>\n
Can any mattress be used on an ottoman base?<\/h3>\n
Is a side lift or end lift ottoman better?<\/h3>\n